Game 4 did not start well for the Washington Capitals.
On the plus side, the Caps controlled the puck on the opening face-off. That was the end of the positives in the game's opening seconds.
After just 17 seconds the defending Stanley Cup champions found themselves down 1-0 when Warren Foegele's slipped behind the Caps defense and feathered a shot into an open net after Braden Holtby went to close down Jaccob Slavin.
17 seconds in and we already have a @NHLCanes goal!Watch #WSHvsCAR on NBCSN or stream here: https://t.co/waSRRqrGlR pic.twitter.com/KOfUGng1UN
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 18, 2019“Let’s start fast. Oh -- not that way.” #ALLCAPS
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) April 18, 2019even the Nats bullpen is impressed https://t.co/JRpxWzhKSG
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) April 18, 2019Matt Niskanen got trapped up high and didn't get back in time. Allowed the #Canes to get a chance in all alone. Ended up in a goal on their first shot. #Caps down 1-0 just 17 seconds in. pic.twitter.com/aHuCbpsbEK
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 18, 2019Well that’s not the start I was hoping for
— PJ Elliott (@PJElliottRadio) April 18, 2019Nope, that was not ideal at all.
The Hurricanes' opener was the sixth-straight by Carolina since Brooks Orpik's game-winner in overtime in Game 2.
And suddenly, after getting shellacked in Game 3, the Caps were immediately in a hole and electrify an already rowdy Carolina crowd.
Rock them like a hurricane! pic.twitter.com/oq0JGANqPk
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 18, 2019To add to the miserable opening minute for Washington, Jakub Vrana took a charging penalty to put the Caps further behind the eight ball. Fortunately the Caps were able to avoid further damage while down a man.
Jakub Vrana now has 6 penalty minutes and zero points in this series. That was a bad, dumb penalty by a 2018 playoff hero who is off to a tough start in this series. #Caps to the PK.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 18, 2019Follow Ben Krimmel and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.
